Nashville Tennis Classic brings pro tennis stars to campus
Lacey Klotz |
For the first time in its history, the floor of Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena was transformed into an indoor tennis court to host the Nashville Tennis Classic, an event that featured members of the U.S. Olympic and Davis Cup teams.
John Isner, the No. 1-ranked American singles player, and Sam Querrey, an Association of Tennis Professionals Tour Star, along with Mike and Bob Bryan, otherwise known as the Bryan brothers and billed as the “world’s greatest doubles team,” headlined the event on Saturday, Feb. 6.
The event kicked off with a singles match featuring Isner versus Querrey, and then the two teamed up against the Bryan brothers for a doubles match in Allen Arena.
The Nashville Tennis Classic was held to help benefit Gilda’s Club Nashville, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community who provides support, education and hope to all people affected by any type of cancer.
"This weekend was a great opportunity to be able to showcase tennis at Lipscomb for our Nashville community,” said Jamie Aid, head coach of the Lipscomb women’s tennis team. “We had around 2,000 community members partake in the Nashville Classic as spectators, and the women's team was in town and had the privilege to be around great players that were playing tennis to support a wonderful cause with Gilda's Club.”
The women’s tennis team also had a unique opportunity as two of its top players, Lorena Djuknic and Melissa Kromer, got to team up with two members of the Middle Tennessee State University men’s tennis team for a tiebreaker match before the pro’s singles and doubles matches.
Djuknic, a senior marketing and entrepreneurship major from Croatia and member of the women’s tennis team shares her experience below.
“This past weekend, Lipscomb hosted a crème de la crème of American men’s tennis.
As a collegiate athlete who has come to America to pursue my dream of playing tennis, the opportunity to meet and watch these professional athletes was a dream come true.
The Nashville Tennis Classic began with the No. 1-ranked American singles tennis player and Olympic participant, John Isner, who played ATP Tour 
Player, Sam Querry in a singles exhibition match. Unfortunately, Isner was not able to keep up with Querry, and ultimately fell short in the match.
Watching the intensity of the game was amazing. Their timing and positioning was perfect and demonstrated their skills and love for the game throughout their singles match.
Once the match was over, both Isner and Querrey teamed up against the famous Bryan brothers.
One of the best doubles teams in the world, Mike and Bob Bryan, are members of the U.S. Olympic and Davis Cup team, and beat Isner and Querry with a score of 8-5.
The match featured a hilarious narrative by the Bryan brothers’ father, Mike, who emceed the Nashville Tennis Classic.
As a part of the women’s tennis team at Lipscomb University, my teammates and I had the privilege of meeting and welcoming the professional players in person.
The professional athletes were extremely kind and willing to share their stories about tennis and traveling. It was especially fun to listen to the Bryan brothers share about their recent experiences at the Australian Open, and the way they handled the heat and competition.
The pros were also great about taking selfies with us and graciously signed our gear.
However, the most memorable experience of the day was getting to play on that imported indoor court. 
As seniors on the tennis team, my teammate Melissa Kromer and I, along with two boys from MTSU, were given the opportunity to open the show for the American tennis legends.
We got to play a mixed doubles tiebreaker in Allen Arena in front of nearly 2,000 tennis fans (hands down the biggest crowed I have ever played tennis in front of.)
All in all, this was definitely a Saturday afternoon that I will never forget; one filled with laughter, happiness and joy for tennis.
I feel so blessed that these incredible players came to Lipscomb University, to ultimately share their love for tennis with our student body and with the Nashville community.”
A proud supporter of the recent Nashville Tennis Classic event is the Lipscomb Racquet Club.
Nestled in Nashville's Green Hills neighborhood, the Lipscomb University Racquet Club is a club that offers the community state-of-the-art tennis facilities as well as social and instructional activities.
The mission of the Lipscomb University Racquet Club (LRC) is to promote health and wellness and to help develop physical growth and character development through its programs.
For more information about the Racquet Club visit: www.lipscomb.edu/racquetclub.